Balancing Defense and Social Support: The UK's Dilemma in the Face of Rising Military Spending?

The Trump administration has been pushing European allies, including the UK, to increase their defense spending. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans to raise the UK's defense budget to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. This decision has sparked concerns, especially given the UK's history of benefit cuts leading to increased suicide rates. Disabled people already face significant challenges in accessing benefits, employment, and essential services. The government's focus on military spending, at the expense of social support, exacerbates these struggles. It's crucial to prioritize the well-being of all citizens, especially the most vulnerable, rather than coercing them into further hardship. #DisabilityRights : [Trump accelerated UK military boost, says former defence chief](https://www.msn.com/en-xl/politics/international-relations/trump-accelerated-uk-military-boost-says-former-defence-chief/ar-AA1zOIMM) : [Trump hosts UK prime minister at White House for critical talks on Ukraine](https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-administration-news-02-27-25/index.html) : [Starmer raises UK defence budget before Trump meeting: Is it enough?](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/27/starmer-raises-uk-defence-budget-before-trump-meeting-is-it-enough) : [UK to Raise Defense Spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027](https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/02/25/uk-raise-defense-spending-25-of-gdp-2027-starmer-says-2-days-trump-meeting.html) : [The link between benefit cuts and suicide can’t be ignored](https://theconversation.com/the-link-between-benefit-cuts-and-suicide-cant-be-ignored-14651) : [Changing suicide trends: A shift in regional disparities across the UK](https://www.suicideinfo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Changing-suicide-trends-A-shift-in-regional-disparities-across-the-UK.pdf) : [Disabled people far more likely to die by suicide than non-disabled people](https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/disabled-people-far-more-likely-die-suicide-non-disabled-people)